A Guide to Hard Hats and Safety Helmets

Optimal head protection is a vital part of personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensures maximum safety when working on construction sites and in industrial environments. In less hazardous environments, head protection in the form of a protective cap may be sufficient to ensure worker safety. In many industries, however, wearing a safety helmet is mandatory.

Depending on the type, protective helmets protect against falling objects, lateral shocks in a fall, or thermal and electrical hazards. A basic distinction is made between simple construction hard hats and safety helmets. Head protection does not have to be expensive but safety helmets with additional functions cost more. In such top models, safety goggles and comfort features are often integrated.

Only helmets in good condition fully and reliably fulfil safety functions. For this reason, PPE must be checked regularly and replaced if defective. How long a construction hard hat lasts depends on both the material used and external influences. Direct sunlight, heat, cold, rain, and air pollution cause the helmet shell plastic to become porous and brittle faster. Depending on the material, the service life is between four and eight years.

The manufacturer's specifications for the maximum use period must be observed. The manufacture year with the month or quarter is stamped into each safety helmet. According to EU PPE regulations, this must be marked as such so that it cannot be confused with the expiry date.

There are two main material groups for helmets - thermoplastic and thermoset. Aluminium helmets are rare today.

Commercial protective helmets are thermoplastic. It is characterised by superior breaking strength at cold temperatures down to -40°C but low dimensional stability at high temperatures. At temperatures from +70°C, safety is no longer provided by the material. The helmets can be used for up to four years after manufacture. However, there are also models that can be stored without loss of quality for up to seven years without external influences.

• Shelf life: 4 years
• Markings: PE, PC, PA, ABS, PP-GF, PC-GF, HDPE
• Properties: no use in hot areas; high cold resistance
• Applications: main construction trades, assembly, mechanical workshops

Safety helmets made of Duroplast are particularly durable and heat and UV resistant. They retain their shape and safety function up to +500°C. They are also characterised by high chemical resistance. In contrast to thermoplastic helmets, thermoset safety helmet production involves a large proportion of manual processes, which is reflected in a higher price.

Durability-wise, the higher acquisition costs are worth it. Thermoset helmets can be used for up to 10 years without loss of quality. Manufacturer specifications apply here.

• Shelf life: 8 to 10 years
• Markings: PF-SF and UP-GF
• Properties: high heat and heat load; not at cold temperatures; high chemical resistance
• Applications: Metal processing, metal production, shipyards, laboratories, the chemical industry

One-time mechanical effects such as impacts and falls can impair helmet function. You must inspect the helmet regularly to check for damage. A simple crack test should also be conducted to check for any damage not visible from the outside.

To perform the test, simply press the hard hat shell together gently and hold one ear close to the helmet. If the helmet crunches or cracks, this indicates invisible damage. Hairline cracks can also be identified this way.

Damaged safety helmets must never be worn and should always be replaced immediately. They should also be replaced after a hard blow to the helmet shell.

The use of hard hats on construction sites and similar environments became more regulated under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This legislation set general principles for health and safety in the workplace and paved the way for more detailed regulations, such as the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992, which specifically addresses the use of personal protective equipment, including hard hats.

However, the exact date when hard hats specifically became mandatory in the UK would be influenced by specific work regulations and site-specific safety policies.

When it comes to purchasing high-quality hard hats in the UK, there's no better destination than RS. With a vast range of top-quality safety equipment, RS is a reliable supplier of personal protective equipment, including helmets and hard hat accessories to meet your specific needs.

We ensure that you have the right protective gear for your work and adhere to safety regulations and standards. Whether you're a supervisor, engineer, labourer, or safety officer, RS has a variety of hard hats and safety helmets suitable for your application.

Remember to consider the specific needs of your project when purchasing a hard hat, including safety standards and any specific colour coding or requirements for your worksite. Make the safe choice and choose RS for your hard hat needs.